Lexington, KY – Another cool summer day greeted exhibitors for the 2011 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Pony Finals at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park. The Large Pony Hunters took center stage in the Walnut Ring this morning as they completed their Model and Under Saddle phases, where Meredith Darst and For the Laughter took home both blue ribbons. The Small Pony Hunter Over Fences were next, and at the end of the day Daisy Farish and Ballou earned the Overall Small Pony Hunter Grand Championship with their consistency throughout the division. Finally, in the Covered Arena, riders participated in the USEF National Pony Jumper Team Championship.
“Third time is the charm” proved to be the lucky phrase for today’s winning combination in the Small Pony Hunters. This is Daisy Farish’s third year competing at Pony Finals and it proved to be the best. Farish and Ballou, owned by Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, took home the Overall Small Pony Hunter Championship, presented by Sallee Horse Vans, and the Professional Horseman’s Association of America Perpetual Trophy. The duo was ranked eighth going into today’s Over Fences phase, and with scores of 84.7, 83.25, and 87 they scored the third-place award, jumping to the top of the leaderboard and earning the coveted title.
“I have been riding Ballou for about three years,” explained 10-year-old Farish, who trains with Scott Stewart. “He jumps really well and he is very easy to find the distance on, he’s very smooth. I rode him at Pony Finals before, but we weren’t as good as this year. We have been coming to Pony Finals for about three years and I felt ready this year. I chose to show Ballou because I have ridden him for a long time and have a good relationship with him. Ballou has shown a lot, so it helps me to stay confident. He also has a really sweet barn personality; he is very sweet and he loves apples.”
The winner of today’s Small Pony Hunter Over Fences phase was also the division’s reserve champion. Bergen Sanderford and First Edition, owned by Katie Dinan LLC of New York, NY, received scores of 87, 85.25, and 85.25 to take home the blue ribbon prize as well as the Overall Small Pony Hunter Reserve Grand Champion title. The second-place finisher during the Over Fences was last year’s champion mount, Elation, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, who was ridden by McKayla Langmeier. The pair earned scores of 86, 83, and 86 for their beautiful round.